Step 4: Balancing the Airboat

Step 5: Finishing Up

Now your boat should be totally functional! Make sure you have secure connections where you soldered, and that you balanced the boat. You might want t...

This project is a great weekend project. I used two motors, a plastic tub, an RC car, and some wood to create a mini RC airboat. I was inspired after riding upon one in the Florida Everglades. This took me a couple of hours, and challenged my skills. This is a project for anyone who wants a fun, neat, little robot. I am 14 years old, so I will entering this into the Make-to-Learn Youth Contest. Please read and VOTE FOR ME!

Here are the answers to the four questions for the contest!What did you make?
I made a small version of an airboat, which uses two motors and a 9 volt battery to power it. I used a plastic tub to act as a hull and to hold all of the electronics of the project. I used two small pieces of balsa wood to hold the motor and the rudder. I also used popsicle sticks to hold it all together. To attach wood and motors I used hot glue, but for all the wiring I used my soldering station.How did you make it?
I had to use a lot of prior memory to put together this project. First, I took apart a broken RC car and took all the motors, and circuit boards out. I attached my motors to the circuit board and the wired it together. At first, I used 6V to power the airboat, as it was in RC car form, but I had to change to a 9V battery. With 6V, the motor couldn't turn the rudder. I have made projects before dealing with taking apart remote control cars, so I knew how they worked before I made the project. Another problem I had to deal with was weight distribution. The back of the boat was too heavy and it would fall backwards. So I added film canisters with quarters in them to make the front heavier. Once that was solved, it was tippy on the sides. I again added film canisters on the sides to balance it.Where did you make it?
I made this mostly on my workbench, in my room, with my soldering iron, hot glue gun, and tools. I soldered and glued in my room, and as soon as I was done I filled up my bathtub and tested it. I didn't need many tools for the project so, I didn't need to use my dad's workshop. What you learn?
I learned a lot after making this project. I gained knowledge in remote controls, wiring, motors, voltage, and many other things. I used family or the internet to learn about what I didn't know. I think the most important thing I learned was trial and error and not giving up. When I came across a problem, I could have called it a day and stopped, but I didn't. Another thing I learned is how reversing the polarity on the motor makes the propeller go the other way, which causes the boat to back up!